Workplace racism ‘affects a third of BME employees’

More than a third of black or minority ethnic (BME) employees are experiencing bullying, abuse or are being singled out in their workplace, a new study has found.

According to a TUC survey of 1,000 BME people, two in five say a direct manager is the perpetrator of the abuse.

Of those experiencing verbal abuse in the workplace, half say this is because of their race.

Speaking at the TUC Congress in Brighton, general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Racism still haunts the British workplace. Racist bullying, harassment and victimisation should have no place anywhere, least of all at work.

"And it's clear that people are being denied opportunities because of their race."

Ms O'Grady is calling on employers to take a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to racists complaints, adding: "It's a scandal that so few black and Asian workers feel their bosses are not dealing with racism properly."

The survey results also suggests women are particularly susceptible to workplace discrimination.

Being denied training or promotion affects a fifth of BME women, with more than two in five (41%) saying they would resign because of bullying and harassment if they could afford to.

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